Gillingham FC to host football festival for fans

Eight hundred people are expected to attend a free football festival hosted by Gillingham FC, organisers say.

The Utilita Football Festival, organised by England Football League (EFL) and energy company Utilita, aims to support local football with free activities including penalty shootouts and fitness challenges for families and young people.

Toby Waters, community director of Gillingham FC Foundation, told the BBC they were "excited" to be hosting the club's first-ever Utilita Football Festival.

"The event is a great opportunity for the players and fans to meet each other in person," he said.

"It is our way to thank the fans who have been supporting us in all our ups and downs."

Waters says players have been eager to take part in the festival as they "look forward to meeting the next generation of football fans, and potential future players for the club".

"The foundation has been doing a lot of engagement work in our school programmes," he said.

"Many kids now know the players by their first names and they also have their favourite players too," he added.

Waters said activities at the Utilita Football Festival included open training sessions, first team signings, penalty shootouts and meeting Tommy, the club's mascot.

The festival takes place on Thursday at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.

Utilita will also be running its Football Rebooted initiative at the festival, where people can donate or claim pre-loved boots.

The company will be running a collection box at the event.

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